POLSC231: Introduction to American Politics

Unit 1: American Political FoundationsThe American political system is rich in history. In order to gain a
comprehensive understanding of the American government, you will need to
learn this history and recognize the ways in which it impacts the
political landscape today.

This unit will begin with a brief introduction to the course as well as
a concise overview of the American political system. We will focus on
broad-based questions and explore the defining characteristics of
American government and political culture. Next, we will work to
identify the origins of American republican democracy, learning how it
developed and evolved into our current political system. Finally, we
will conclude by examining the key aspects of the American Constitution
and relate its design and development to the unique American political
culture in place today.

Unit 1 Time Advisory
Completing this unit should take approximately 29.5 hours.

☐ Subunit 1.1: 3.5 hours

☐ Subunit 1.2: 15.25 hours

☐ Subunit 1.2.1: 1 hour

☐ Subunit 1.2.2: 0.5 hours

☐ Subunit 1.2.3: 2.75 hours

☐ Subunit 1.2.4: 2 hours

☐ Subunit 1.2.5: 3.5 hours

☐ Subunit 1.2.6: 2 hours

☐ Subunit 1.3: 8.5 hours

☐ Subunit 1.3.1: 0.5 hours

☐ Subunit 1.3.2: 0.5 hours

☐ Subunit 1.3.3: 2 hours

☐ Subunit 1.3.4: 0.25 hours

☐ Unit 1 Current Events Challenge: 1.5 hours

☐ Unit 1 Assessment: 0.75 hours

Unit1 Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- explain the major purposes of government;
- explain the different definitions of democracy;
- compare and contrast the various forms of democracy, particularly
between the US and other Western countries;
- discuss the historical roots of British rule in America and the move
towards colonial independence;
- describe the governmental system under the Articles of
Confederation, its inherent problems, and the factors which
generated the need to replace this system;
- discuss the key issues of debate during the Constitutional
Convention, including representation, national vs. state power, and
slavery;
- analyze the differences between and discuss the main purpose of the
Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, and Great Compromise;
- explain the basic principles embodied in the Constitution, including
checks and balances, separation of powers, and federalism;
- explain the Anti-Federalist and Federalist arguments regarding the
size and scope of government during the ratification debate;
- explain the Constitution’s amendment process;
- describe how the Constitution has remained relevant in contemporary
society;
- explain the arguments put forth in The Federalist Papers regarding
power-sharing arrangements between national and state government;
- define the various type of federalism, including layer cake, marble,
fiscal, and cooperative;
- discuss the significant eras and events in the evolution of American
federalism;
- explain the role of federalism in both electoral politics and the
media; and
- explain the various perspectives on the role and importance of
freedom, order, and equality in society.

Instructions: Read over this brief list of questions, which will be
addressed over the course of Unit 1. You should use it as a guide
before each subunit to help you determine some of the most important
material to be covered. At the end of the unit, use it as a resource
for reviewing important terms and concepts.

Reading this study guide and taking notes should take approximately
30 minutes.

Terms of Use: This resource has been reposted with the kind
permission of Dr. Patrick Scott. Please note that this material is
under copyright and may not be reproduced in any capacity without
the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

1.1.1 The Purpose, Role, and Impact of Government
- Reading: Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World:
“Chapter 10: Politics and Government”
Link: Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World:
“Chapter 10: Politics and
Government” (PDF)

Instructions: Read Section 1 on pages 460-473 of the chapter
reading titled “Politics and Government.” Politics is essentially
the exercise and use of power within a society. Various types of
power are used within different political systems. This section
provides a foundation for understanding the democratic form of
government as practiced in the United States and countries around
the world.

Reading this section and taking notes should take approximately 30
minutes.

Instructions: Use this PowerPoint as a reference as you watch the
video lectures in this subunit and in subunit 1.1.3, titled
“Introduction to Democracy I” and “Introduction to Democracy II.”

Reading this presentation and taking notes should take
approximately 30 minutes.

Terms of Use: This resource has been reposted with the kind
permission of Dr. Patrick Scott. Please note that this material is
under copyright and may not be reproduced in any capacity without
the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

Instructions: Watch this introductory lecture on democracy and
American government from Dr. Scott’s podcast. The lecture will
introduce you to the principle themes and topics that will be
covered in this course, focusing on how democraticgovernment in the
US compares to other democracies in the international system. Pay
special attention to the connections Dr. Scott draws between course
materials and real-world political activities and events. The first
five minutes are specific to Dr. Scott’s course at Missouri State
University. The content explained in the overview will be helpful;
however, do not pay attention to the course requirements or
assignments.

Watching this lecture and taking notes should take approximately 45
minutes.

Terms of Use: This resource has been reposted with the kind
permission of Dr. Patrick Scott from Missouri State University and
can be viewed in its original form
here.
Please note that this material is under copyright and may not be
reproduced in any capacity without the explicit permission of the
copyright holder.

1.1.2 A “Unique” American System of Democracy
- Activity: A “Unique” American System of Democracy
After watching the video in subunit 1.1.1, try to identify the
elements of the American system that set it apart from other
democracies around the world.

Instructions: Watch this introductory lecture on democracy and
American government. In this lecture, Dr. Scott discusses some of
the integral institutional structures and rules necessary for
representative democracy to work in a manner that protects
individual rights and liberties in the US. Take note of the
distinction between politics and government.

Watching this lecture and taking notes should take approximately 45
minutes.

Terms of Use: This resource has been reposted with the kind
permission of Patrick Scott from Missouri State University and can
be viewed in its original form
here.
Please note that this material is under copyright and may not be
reproduced in any capacity without the explicit permission of the
copyright holder.

Instructions: If you choose to use this app, you will need to
download the version appropriate to your mobile device. Note that
the apps in this course are optional because there may be associated
costs. No quiz or exam questions will be derived from this material,
but these apps are still useful supplementary resources. Open the
above app, which provides a large collection of notable quotations
from US government leaders, both past and present, on democracy and
government. Read the accompanying primary source images related to
the person being quoted. You can also take a quiz from recent
national standardized civics tests. This app is a useful companion
piece to Dr. Scott’s lectures “Introduction to Democracy I” and
“Introduction to Democracy II.”

Reading through this app should take approximately 1 hour and 30
minutes.

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpage above.

Instructions: Use this PowerPoint as a reference as you watch the
video lectures “The Constitution I” and “The Constitution II”
below.

Reading this presentation and taking notes should take
approximately 30 minutes.

Terms of Use: This resource has been reposted with the kind
permission of Dr. Patrick Scott. Please note that this material is
under copyright and may not be reproduced in any capacity without
the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

Instructions: It is nearly impossible to gain an understanding of
American government without a firm grasp of its origins and
foundations as embodied in the Constitution. As the supreme law of
the United States, it is empowered with the sovereign authority of
the people by the framers and the consent of the states. The
Constitution is the source of all governmental powers, and it
provides important limitations on the government that protect the
fundamental rights of United States citizens. Note that these
lectures also cover the material you need to know for subunits
1.2.1-1.2.6

Watching these lectures and taking notes should take approximately
1 hour and 30 minutes.

Terms of Use: The material above has been reposted with the kind
permission of Patrick Scott from Missouri State University and can
be viewed in its original form
here.
Please note that this material is under copyright and may not be
reproduced in any capacity without the explicit permission of the
copyright holder.

Instructions: Read Chapter 2 on pages 47-84 for a solid background
on the events leading up to the first American political system, the
principles embedded in the Constitution, and how the media depicts
the Constitution and constitutional issues. The authors offer a
unique perspective on government and politics and their relationship
to media in the 21st century. Each chapter ties media to
the particular institution, process, or policy area under study and
presents the most common media depictions of its subject.

Reading this chapter and taking notes should take approximately 1
hour and 15 minutes.

Instructions: Open this optional app to view more than 30 primary
source writings from prominent US statesmen during the years
1783-1803. Read the “first-hand” accounts related to the Articles of
Confederation and the Constitution. Each account allows you to add
personal notes and highlights within the document. Please note that
there is a cost of $0.99 associated with this optional app.

Reading through this app should take approximately 2 hours and 30
minutes.

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpage above.

Instructions: Read both documents. The Declaration of Independence
is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776,
which announced that the 13 American colonies, then at war with
Great Britain, regarded themselves as independent states, and no
longer a part of the British Empire. Instead, they formed a new
nation – the United States of America. The interpretation of the
Declaration of Independence has been the subject of much scholarly
analysis. It justified the independence of the United States by
listing colonial grievances against King George III, and by
asserting certain natural and legal rights, including a right of
revolution. Having served its original purpose in announcing
independence, the text of the Declaration was initially ignored
after the American Revolution. Since then, it has come to be
considered a major statement on human rights. In addition, the
Declaration is, in many ways, a statement of principles through
which the United States Constitution can be interpreted.

Reading these documents and taking notes should take approximately
1 hour.

Terms of Use: This resource is in the public domain.

1.2.2 Early Government: The Articles of Confederation
- Reading: The Library of Congress’ “Articles of Confederation”
Link: The Library of Congress’ “Articles of
Confederation” (HTML)

Instructions: Read the commentary that accompanies the Articles of
Confederation as well as the document itself. This site, and the
supplementary links, especially the Atlantic Monthly article on
the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, provides important
historical background for understanding the Articles and the
development of the US Constitution. Adopted in 1781 during the
Revolutionary War, the Articles created a loose confederation of 13
sovereign states with marginal formal central government power. The
national government under the Articles proved to be very weak and
the states sought more and more power sometimes in opposition to one
another. The commentary explains some of the Articles’ most critical
shortcomings, which eventually prompted the creation of a
constitutional convention to address the weaknesses. As you read,
pay particular attention to the treatment of the Bill of Rights
throughout the early years of American political history.

Reading this document and commentary should take approximately 30
minutes.

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpage above.

Instructions: Read this short article, which will provide you with
some background information on the concerns that the Founding
Fathers had before and during the Constitutional Convention and the
compromises they were forced to make when creating the US
Constitution.

Although the Convention was intended to revise the Articles of
Confederation, the intention from the outset of many of its
proponents, chief among them James Madison and Alexander Hamilton,
was to create a new government rather than fix the existing one. The
most contentious disputes revolved around congressional
representation, the nature of executive power, and the abolition of
the slave trade. Most of the partisan lines among the delegates
developed between large/small states and northern/southern states.
After a four-month debate, what resulted was the United States
Constitution, placing the Convention among the most significant
events in the history of the United States.

Instructions: During the 1787 Constitutional Convention, the most
contentious disputes revolved around representation in Congress, how
to structure executive power, and whether the federal judiciary
should be chosen by the legislature or the executive branch. In
addition to the overarching issue of slavery, most of the time
during the convention was spent on deciding these issues.

The majority of the delegates formed vocal factions to advocate for
the best interest of their state, and put forth numerous plans that
reflected their most pressing issues. The two most well-known
proposals – the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan – helped to
create the parameters for intense debate and eventual, agreed upon
compromises.

For this assessment, you will compare the specific provisions
outlined in the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and the Great
Compromise. Using this worksheet, write a short description on each
plan’s proposed structure for the legislative, executive, and
judicial branches of government. Check your responses using this
answer key.

Completing this assessment should take approximately 1 hour and 30
minutes.

Instructions: Answer these questions to assess your understanding
of this subunit.

Completing this activity should take approximately 15 minutes.

1.2.4 The Ratification Debate: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
- Reading: US Department of State: About America: The Constitution
of the United States: J. W. Peltason’s “Ratifying the Constitution”
and “The Bill of Rights”
Link: US Department of State: About America: The Constitution of
the United States: J. W. Peltason’s “Ratifying the
Constitution” (PDF)
and “The Bill of
Rights” (PDF)

Instructions: Read these short excerpts for some background
information on the important role that the Bill of Rights played in
securing ratification of the Constitution. Despite the several
months spent debating and compromising on key aspects of the
Constitution, some delegates were still unsatisfied with the final
document. The ratification process divided many Americans into two
opposing camps – the Federalists (who supported ratification) and
the Anti-Federalists (who opposed it). The latter felt the national
government would be given too much power at the expense of state
governments and that, more critically, the Constitution provided no
written guarantee of individual liberties (a “bill of rights”). The
Federalists thought a listing of rights could be a dangerous thing.
If the national government were to protect specific listed rights,
what would stop it from violating rights other than the listed ones?
Since we can’t list all the rights, the Federalists argued, it was
better to list none at all. However, the Federalists finally
relented when it became apparent that New York and Virginia – states
whose participation would be critical under the new government –
would withhold their approval of the Constitution pending inclusion
of a Bill of Rights.

Reading these selections and taking notes should take approximately
15 minutes.

Instructions: Read “Federalist No. 10” and “No. 51,” two of the
most famous Federalist Papers written by James Madison and among
the most highly regarded of all American political writings. For No.
10, identify why he believes that the Constitution provides for a
form of government that will control “factions” and fulfill the will
of the people. No. 51 addresses the means by which appropriate
checks and balances can be created in government, and also advocates
a separation of powers within the national government. One of its
most important ideas is the often-quoted phrase, “Ambition must be
made to counteract ambition.” You can find the remainder of the
Federalist Papershere.

Reading these selections and taking notes should take approximately
1 hour.

Instructions: Answer these questions to assess your understanding
of this subunit.

Completing this activity should take approximately 15 minutes.

1.2.5 Constitutional Principles
- Reading: The US National Archives and Records Administration:
“Constitution of the United States”
Link: The US National Archives and Records Administration:
“Constitution of the United
States” (HTML)

Instructions: Read the original text of the Constitution that was
signed by the convention delegates and was presented to the states
for ratification on September 17, 1787. Begin with the Preamble (“We
the People”) and then read Articles I through VII. The resource
below provides a good companion piece for understanding the key
principles embedded in the Constitution.

Note: Sections that are hyperlinked have since been amended or
superseded. The hyperlinks will take you to the text of the specific
amendment.

Reading this selection and taking notes should take approximately 1
hour to complete.

Terms of Use: This resource is in the public domain.

Web Media: YouTube: The Regents of the University of California:
US Government and Politics: Lesson 5 – The Constitution.”
Link: YouTube: The Regents of the University of California: US
Government and Politics: “Lesson 5 – The
Constitution” (YouTube)

Instructions: Watch this two-part presentation to learn the core
principles and structure of the Constitution.

Watching this video and taking notes should take approximately 30
minutes.

Instructions: The Constitution originally consisted of seven
articles. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the
separation of powers, whereby the federal government is divided into
three distinct branches. The fourth and sixth articles frame the
doctrine of federalism, describing the relationship between states
and between the states and the federal government. The fifth article
provides the procedure for amending the Constitution and the seventh
article provides the procedure for its ratification. A closer look
at the wording of the Constitution reveals how its framers
successfully separated and balanced governmental powers to safeguard
the interests of majority rule and minority rights.

Instructions: Watch this public presentation of Supreme Court
Justices Scalia and Breyer. Their discussion outlines different
philosophical views of the constitution. Justice Breyer sees the
Constitution as a living document that should be viewed through the
lens of contemporary politics and culture. Justice Scalia does not
agree and is more inclined to view the Constitution less as a living
document and more in terms of what the framers of the Constitution
intended for each amendment. He believes it is a mistake to read the
Constitution with too much consideration of contemporary cultural
and political ideas and beliefs.

Watching this presentation and pausing to take notes should take
approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpage above.

Instructions: Read this short excerpt on the Constitution’s
worldwide influence. After the US Constitution was ratified in 1788,
it soon became a benchmark for self-government and a model for many
countries’ constitutions thereafter, including Poland, France,
Spain, Portugal, and many Italian states. Interestingly, the US
Constitution is the shortest written Constitution of any sovereign
country in the world. This was, in many ways, an intentional effort
by the Founding Fathers to provide the latitude necessary for future
interpretation and amendments.

Reading this selection and taking notes should take approximately
15 minutes.

Instructions: This optional app includes the full text of the US
Constitution with a clause-by-clause explanation of each section
(including commentary on each of the 27 amendments). It also
includes all 85 Federalist Papers for your reference.

Reading through the Constitution section of this optional app
should take approximately 2 hours.

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpage above.

Instructions: This optional app displays the full text of the US
Constitution. It also includes the biographies of the signers of the
Constitution, the dates in which each state ratified the document,
and a Constitution “timeline.”

Reading through this app should take approximately 2 hours.

Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use
displayed on the webpage above.

Instructions: Use this PowerPoint as a reference as you watch the
video lectures “Federalism I” and “Federalism II” below.

Reading through this presentation and taking notes should take
approximately 30 minutes.

Terms of Use: This resource has been reposted with the kind
permission of Dr. Patrick Scott. Please note that this material is
under copyright and may not be reproduced in any capacity without
the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

Instructions: Watch both these lectures on federalism. The first
lecture is about 36 minutes, and the second lecture is about 48
minutes.

Federalism is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, but it
is one of the key principles that the document embodies,
particularly in the way it allocates power between the national
government and the states. Because the states were preexisting
political entities in 1787, the US Constitution did not need to
define or explain federalism in any one section. However, it often
mentions the rights and responsibilities of state governments in
relation to the federal government. The federal government has
certain express powers (also called enumerated powers), which are
powers spelled out in the Constitution, including the right to levy
taxes, declare war, and regulate interstate and foreign commerce. In
addition, the Necessary and Proper Clause, in Section 8 of Article
I, gives the federal government the implied power to pass any law
“necessary and proper” for the execution of its express powers.
Other powers – reserved powers – are reserved for the people or the
states. Federalism has evolved significantly since it was first
implemented, and it continues to be the subject of intense academic,
legal, and political debate.

Watching these presentations and taking notes should take
approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Terms of Use: The material above has been reposted with the kind
permission of Patrick Scott from Missouri State University, and can
be viewed in its original form
here.
Please note that this material is under copyright and may not be
reproduced in any capacity without the explicit permission of the
copyright holder.

Instructions: Read this chapter on the federalist system of
government in the US on pages 84-119. The US Constitution outlines a
federalist system of government in which the powers of government
are divided among national, state, and local governments. Each of
these levels of government has its own power and responsibilities.
Note that, in theory, state governments cannot make laws that
conflict with the laws the national government makes.

Reading this chapter and taking notes should take approximately 1
hour.

Instructions: Read one of the listed Federalist Papers by
Alexander Hamilton, either No. 16 or No. 17, and read James
Madison’s No. 39. Hamilton’s Nos. 16 and 17 were two of six topics
in the Federalist Papers to directly address the failures of the
Articles of Confederation. Within this context, Hamilton argues the
need for a strong national government to unify the country, and
seeks to address concerns that the proposed Constitution will lead
to tyranny. No. 39, written by James Madison, strikes a more
conciliatory tone towards the federal aspects of the government –
remember, Hamilton only expounds on the national aspects. He
believes that only a republican form of government can carry forward
the principles fought for in the Revolution and demonstrates that
self-government is both possible and practical.

Reading these selections and taking notes should take approximately
2 hours.

Instructions: Answer these questions to assess your understanding
of this subunit.

Completing this activity should take approximately 15 minutes.

1.3.1 Defining Federalism
- Web Media: YouTube: The Regents of the University of California:
US Government and Politics: “Lesson 7 – Layer Cake Federalism”
Link: YouTube: The Regents of the University of California: US
Government and Politics: “Lesson 7 – Layer Cake
Federalism” (YouTube)

Instructions: Watch this two-part presentation on the key elements
of federalism in the American political system. Layer cake
federalism – also known as “dual” federalism – describes a certain
form of federalism in which the national government and state
governments have distinct realms of authority that do not overlap
and into which the other should not intrude. This form of federalism
is in direct contrast to “marble cake” or “cooperative” federalism
(more on this in the next subunit), which is based on a mixing of
authority and programs among the national, state, and local
governments.

Watching this video and taking notes should take approximately 30
minutes.

1.3.2 Federalism in Practice
- Web Media: YouTube: The Regents of the University of California:
US Government and Politics: “Lesson 8 – Evolution of Federalism”
Link: YouTube: The Regents of the University of California: US
Government and Politics: “Lesson 8 – Evolution of
Federalism” (YouTube)

Instructions: Watch this two-part presentation on cooperative and
fiscal federalism. While fiscal federalism has resulted in federal
monies for states in a wide variety of areas – agriculture,
transportation, research – there has been concern by states over
burdensome regulations and requirements. In recent years, there has
been a push to return power to the states (“devolution”), placing
the burden of a wide range of domestic programs on state governments
so that they can design programs in a way that suits their own
residents.

Watching this presentation and taking notes should take
approximately 30 minutes.

Instructions: Since the ratification the Constitution, which
established a union of states under a federal system of governance,
two questions have generated considerable debate: What is the nature
of the union? What powers, privileges, duties, and responsibilities
does the Constitution grant to the national government and reserve
for the states and for the people? The answers to these questions
have been debated time and again, having shaped and been shaped by
the nation’s political, social, and economic history.

The authors of this selection identify several significant eras and
events in the evolution of American federalism over a 200+ year
period and provide a capsule description of each.

Reading this selection and taking notes should take approximately 1
hour.

Instructions: The US Constitution establishes a government based on
federalism – the sharing of power between the national and state
(and local) governments. The federal government’s powers are
enumerated in the Constitution, while the states are granted certain
“reserved” powers. Although they are not mentioned in the
Constitution, there are nearly 90,000 local governments throughout
the United States. Local governments have a wide variety of powers
and responsibilities – overseeing hospitals and libraries, police
and fire protection, water supply, sewage, refuse collection and
disposal, building construction rules and lighting streets to name
just a few.

The two major reasons for having several levels of government are
scale and power. Each level of government deals with issues that are
appropriate to its scale, or size. For example, the federal level
deals with national security and the declaration of war – issues
that affect all of the people in the nation. The local levels deal
with the upkeep and repair of streets – an issue that is only
important to the people who live in that area. Another reason for
adopting a federal system is that it is designed to distribute, or
break-up, power and authority. This structural feature of government
is designed to protect the people against the whims of one
all-powerful ruler.

As a result of our federal system, most Americans do not realize
the prevalence of government in their everyday lives. The below
story was formulated by the National Conference of State
Legislators. Read through this
story
and identify the level of government – federal, state, or local –
that would most likely deal with each of the items that are
underlined. (Some items may involve more than one level of
government). Check your responses with this answer key.

Completing this assessment should take approximately 1 hour.

1.3.4 Federalism and Electoral PoliticsThe political parties stand for different principles with regard to
federalism. Democrats prefer policies to be set by the national
government. They opt for national standards for consistency across
states and localities, often through attaching stringent conditions to
the use of national funds. Republicans usually decry such centralization
and endorse giving powers to the states and reducing funds for the
national government.

Instructions: Watch this video which provides a helpful primer on
the role of the Electoral College in electing US presidents. As you
watch the video, think about what role the federalist system plays
in explaining why the Electoral College been able to adapt and
endure over two centuries of sometimes controversial presidential
elections.

Watching this video and answering the question above should take
approximately 15 minutes.

1.3.5 Federalism in the Information Age
- Reading: American Government and Politics in the Information
Age: “Chapter 3, Section 4: Federalism in the Information Age”
Link: American Government and Politics in the Information
Age:
“Chapter 3, Section 4: Federalism in the Information Age” (PDF)

Instructions: Read this section on pages 112-118, which analyzes
the role of the media in covering federalism. National, state, and
local news and entertainment outlets all depict federalism in
various ways. In the 21st century, they have been changed
by new technologies that communicate across geographical
boundaries.

Reading this section and pausing to take notes should take you
approximately 15 minutes.

Instructions: Complete the linked assessment. You must be logged
into your Saylor Foundation School account in order to access this
quiz. If you do not yet have an account, you will be able to create
one, free of charge, after clicking the link.